Geriatric Research Unit

Geriatric Research Unit Head: Professor Robert Iansek

The Geriatric Research Unit is a major partner in the Victorian Parkinson's Program that was recently recognised as an International Centre of Excellence by the US based National Parkinson Foundation.

This recognition is a public “seal of approval” in Parkinson research, support, and care, conveying an expectation for the highest-quality care, implementation of "best practices", leadership in developing targeted research to extend the knowledge base in Parkinson disease, and/or innovative models of education, services, and outreach. The Victorian Parkinson's Program is only the second organisation in the southern hemisphere to be designated a Centre of Excellence by the National Parkinson Foundation.

The Geriatric Research Unit is one of six collaborators in the Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Gait Analysis and Gait Rehabilitation. The Centre has been established with $2Million in competitive federal funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

The Centre aims to generate new knowledge about the measurement, pathophysiology and rehabilitation of walking; improve knowledge of the cause of gait disorders such as cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal conditions; establish the evidence base for gait analysis and multi-disciplinary treatment of gait disorders and translate this new knowledge to improve walking in children, adults and older people; provide advanced training and educational opportunities; foster collaboration with top international research, clinical and industry partners; and disseminate knowledge generated to patients, other consumers, health care organisations, professional organisations, industry, the scientific community and general public.

More on Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Clinical Gait Analysis and Gait Rehabilitation

The Geriatric Research Unit has a world class clinical gait laboratory, complete with a three dimensional motion analysis system, two force platforms, a computerised carpet, split screen video system and several other measurement tools.

Staff

Research activities

• Pathogenesis of gait disturbance in Parkinson's Disease
• Underlying mechanisms of dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease
• Evaluation of rehabilitation strategies in Frontal Gait Apraxia
• Evaluation of rehabilitation strategies in Parkinson's Disease
• Evaluation of functional neurosurgery outcome in Parkinson's Disease (deep brain stimulation)
• Pathogenesis of gait disturbance in Asperger's Disorder and Autism
• Investigation of gait disorders, postural instability and falls in Huntington's Disease

Current and planned projects

• Brain control in walking (multiple projects)
• Pre-movement potential in gait initiation
• Neurological substrate for planned and unplanned stopping during gait
• Online turning in Parkinson's Disease
• Pre-movement potential on/off medication during an upper limb activity and distraction tasks in patients with Parkinson's disease with and without dyskinesia
• Step-to-step changes during walking in patients with Asperger's Disorder
• Proprioception disturbance in stroke patients with knee hyperextension